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PAT testers to suit all applications

A Seaward Electronic product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 14, 2006

Seaward offers a wide range of instruments suitbale to performing the essential role of portable appliance testing (PAT), regardless of the level fo skill of the operator.

The essential role of portable appliance testing (PAT) is to detect potential workplace safety problems with electrical appliances before they occur.

Although obvious equipment defects can be found during visual inspection, to identify all potentially dangerous faults, inspection needs to be linked with a programme of periodic testing that is capable of revealing any 'invisible' electrical faults such as earth continuity, insulation integrity and other potential problems.

The essential tests for most electrical products are earth bonding and insulation resistance, although a host of other tests such as IEC cord or lead tests, touch and leakage currents may also be required depending on the type of equipment in use and the associated risk factors.

To enable PAT contractors and service firms carry out these electrical safety tests a range of portable appliance testers are available that make the in-service safety testing process safe, fast and easy to carry out.

Test instruments are available which range from the relatively simple to operate pass/fail checkers that carry out some of the basic safety checks on equipment and provide an immediate 'go/no go' display.

These basic safety checkers do not possess an internal memory for results storage and are designed for use by those who may be relatively unskilled in electrical work.

For more comprehensive test requirements, sophisticated microprocessor controlled testers are available that combine user-friendly operation with a whole range of other features for particular test demands or routines.

These include options for manual or automatic testing and the ability to record results in the tester for transfer to test management programs.

Lightweight PAT testers are now available that incorporate all Class I and Class II required electrical safety tests in a compact hand held enclosure.

In some, long life battery power eliminates the reliance on mains outlets for testing, making the instrument totally portable and suitable for universal testing applications.

The incorporation of Bluetooth technology in some advanced testers allows the wireless connection of bar code scanners, label printers and other accessories - allowing totally cable-free testing, without the cumbersome and constant plugging in and unplugging of leads and cords.

Advanced testers can also be linked directly safety-labelling printers for the fast and automatic production of appliance test labels on-site.

The labels not only provide confirmation that the equipment is safe to use but often include details of 'next test' due dates.

The use of computerised portable appliance testers also enables data to be transferred directly from the instrument to a PC-stored database allowing an automatic update of test records, the generation of test reports and advance testing schedules.

For testers that do not possess an internal results memory, PDA based test record keeping software programs enable test records to be updated manually while testing takes place, for transfer to main PC-based systems at the end of a shift or test programme.

With such a variety of PATs to choose from, very rarely is the choice simply down to price - user competency, technical specifications, test combinations and other features are all key factors behind any purchasing decision.

To make this decision easier, a new PAT concept recognises that the correct choice of tester, results management software and supporting accessories can have a major impact on productivity and profitability for those involved in testing.

The new PAT solutions approach streamlines the selection of integrated test systems by providing different test instruments alongside various accessory and software options, service and calibration support, in keeping with exactly the sort of portable appliance testing being undertaken.

For example, at the top end of the market it is about integrating Bluetooth enabled testers with test management databases for comprehensive PAT solutions.

For more basic needs it is about making testing as easy as possible and eliminating errors.

In this way different PAT test elements can be brought into distinct PAT system packages that not only make purchasing decisions easier, but ensure that the safety testing of all electrical items is undertaken as cost-effectively as possible.

Find out more about this article. Request a brochure, download technical specifications and request samples here.
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